Biology Research Scientist (BA, MS, PhD's)
Mercor • Remote
Education
Any
Type
hourly
Pay Rate (by country)
$50–$70/hr
Listed
67d ago
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What We Know About This Role
- Weekly hours
- 10–20 hrs/week
- Contract length
- 9 weeks
About this Role
From the Mercor listing
About the Role
Mercor is partnering with a leading AI research organization to verify protein target assignments in large-scale bioactivity databases (ChEMBL, BindingDB). You'll read primary literature, apply scientific judgment, and determine whether UniProt IDs accurately reflect the proteins being studied — work that directly feeds AI drug discovery pipelines.
What You'll Do
Access primary sources (papers, patents) to verify protein target assignments against UniProt records
Flag and classify target assignment errors using a structured taxonomy
Propose correct UniProt accessions where assignments are wrong
Write concise, evidence-grounded notes explaining your reasoning
Requirements
BA/BS with 5+ years, MS with 2+ years, or PhD with industry or drug discovery research experience, in pharmacology, biochemistry, molecular biology, or chemical biology at a biotech, pharma, or CRO
Hands-on binding or functional assay experience (SPR, TR-FRET, radioligand binding, kinase assays, GPCR functional assays, IC50/Ki/KD)
Currently bench-active in a research, scientist, or associate scientist role
Working fluency with UniProt or adjacent workflows: SAR support, HTS, target validation, biochemical profiling, or IND-enabling studies
Nice to Have
Direct experience with ChEMBL, BindingDB, or PubChem
Selectivity profiling or counterscreening experience
Familiarity with agonist/antagonist vs. activator/inhibitor distinctions
Role Details
10–20 hrs/week | Remote | Immediate start
1–2 month minimum, extension likely
U.S. only
Requirements
- Must be eligible to work in Remote
- Fluent proficiency in English (Written & Verbal)
- Reliable high-speed internet connection
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
- Demonstrated expertise in STEM
Key Responsibilities
- Access primary sources (papers, patents) to verify protein target assignments against UniProt records
- Flag and classify target assignment errors using a structured taxonomy
- Propose correct UniProt accessions where assignments are wrong
- Write concise, evidence-grounded notes explaining your reasoning
Why This Role
Rare opportunity for top 1% experts. Earn $60/hr contributing to the world's most advanced AI labs. This is one of the few roles where academic precision is valued as highly as commercial output.
Skills & Categories
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mercor for freelancers or full-time contractors?
Mercor places you with one client for a defined engagement, like 'Python Tutor for 3 months', rather than having you grab small tasks from a shared queue. Most roles function as steady contract work, not one-off gigs.
Does Mercor's application require an on-camera interview?
Yes, every applicant records a video interview with an AI interviewer that asks questions about your resume. Clients review that recording to judge communication skills before matching, so there's no way to apply without going on camera.
Does it cost money to apply to Mercor?
No, applying and joining Mercor is free. Mercor's revenue comes from a fee it charges the client on top of your hourly rate, not from applicants. Treat any request for payment to join as a red flag.
Is academic-niche AI training just data labeling?
No, it's closer to academic research. Expect to write or verify complex proofs, solve advanced equations, or check the logic behind a model's step-by-step reasoning. The goal is teaching AI systems to reason deeply within your specific field.
Do I need a PhD for academic-niche AI training roles?
For the top pay tiers, a PhD or current enrollment is usually expected. But the domain assessment is what actually decides it: if you can solve the problems, the degree becomes secondary.
Is academic-niche AI training a continuous job?
Usually not. Work runs in campaigns, like training a model specifically on quantum mechanics, that might last a few weeks. Treat it as a high-paying fellowship or grant rather than a permanent daily job.
What does STEM work look like for a Biology Research Scientist (BA, MS, PhD's)?
Tasks here are scoped to STEM, not generic labeling. As a Biology Research Scientist (BA, MS, PhD's), expect to draw on real domain judgment (evaluating outputs, correcting errors, or providing expert reasoning specific to STEM) rather than following a one-size-fits-all rubric. If you don't have hands-on STEM background, this is likely not the right listing to start with.
How many hours per week does this role require?
Based on the listing, this role is scoped at 10–20 hours per week, over roughly a 9-week contract. Treat this as a real commitment expectation, not a loose estimate.
What happens when I click Apply on this listing?
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How soon will I start working after applying to Mercor?
Not immediately. Mercor is a talent marketplace, not a task queue, so applying puts you in a pool of candidates. You start working only once a specific client, like a major AI lab, selects your profile, and that matching process can take weeks.